What are the 10 highest, and lowest, paying jobs in Kentucky? Here’s where your job ranks
Baptist Health celebrates 100 years of service across the Commonwealth
What started as a lone hospital facility in 1924 has grown in a multi-state health system known as Baptist Hospital.
Do you have one of the highest paying jobs in Kentucky?
Maybe, if you work in the medical field.
According to payroll company ADP, the median annual pay for workers in the commonwealth is $56,000, roughly $3,000 less than the national median annual pay as of December 2024. ADP also found that the median annual wage, which represents the middle value or the 50th percentile of workers’ wages, was up almost 5% in Kentucky when compared to December 2023, a slightly larger pay increase than what was seen nationally.
Alternatively, Kentucky Center for Statistics, using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found the average annual wage statewide was $54,030.
Wanting to know what jobs make the most money across the commonwealth? No worries, here’s what we found:
What are the 10 highest paying jobs in Kentucky?
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data published in 2024 that looks at annual average wage, the top jobs in the commonwealth are all in the medical field, except for one. Note: Data for some jobs such as cardiologists, actors, captains of water vessels and others did not have data provided in the BLS report.
Here are the 10 highest average annual wage jobs across the state:
- Physicians, Pathologists: $376,940
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists: $331,120
- Physicians, All Other: $316,730
- Anesthesiologists: $292,390
- General Internal Medicine Physicians: $283,180
- Family Medicine Physicians: $282,140
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: $281,040
- Emergency Medicine Physicians: $277,370
- Pediatricians, General: $227,730
- Chief Executives: $220,200
What are the 10 lowest paying jobs in Kentucky?
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data published in 2024 that looks at annual average wage, the lowest paid jobs in the commonwealth is concentrated around the leisure, dining and entertainment sectors. Note: Data for some jobs such as cardiologists, actors, captains of water vessels and others did not have data provided in the BLS report.
Here are the 10 lowest average annual wage jobs across the state:
- Motion Picture Projectionists: $22,550
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers: $23,430
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants: $24,270
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop: $24,640
- Cooks, Fast Food: $25,020
- Fast Food and Counter Workers: $25,070
- Hoist and Winch Operators: $26,080
- Cashiers: $26,090
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers: $26,280
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks: $26,310
What are the 10 highest paid occupations in metro Louisville?
According to the Kentucky Center for Statistics, in the KentuckianWorks region, which includes Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble counties, the top jobs, based on the average annual wage, are almost all within the medical field.
Here’s a look at the top 10 highest average annual wage jobs in this region:
- Radiologists: $394,773
- Physicians, Pathologists: $384,501
- Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers: $371,768
- Family Medicine Physicians: $295,982
- Physicians, All Other: $290,972
- Chief Executives: $251,275
- Nurse Anesthetists: $231,823
- Psychiatrists: $216,213
- Pediatricians, General: $207,417
- Surgeons, All Other: $197,357
What is the top job, wage based on education in Kentucky?
According to data provided by the Kentucky Center for Statistics Labor Market Information for 2024, here is a look at the average annual wage for the highest-paid job in each category of educational attainment that is collected for Kentucky:
- No formal educational credential: Models, $184,970
- High school diploma or equivalent: Airfield Operations Specialists, $124,400
- Some college, no degree: Computer User Support Specialists, $54,980
- Postsecondary nondegree award: Commercial Pilots, $150,530
- Associate’s degree: Air Traffic Controllers, $121,970
- Bachelor’s degree: Chief Executives, $220,200
- Master’s degree: Nurse Anesthetists, $185,630
- Doctoral or professional degree: Physicians, Pathologists, $376,940
What are the 10 best paid industries in Kentucky?
According to data provided by the Kentucky Center for Statistics, here is a look at the top 10 highest-paid job industries based on average annual wage in Jefferson County. Note: the highest-paid job industries in Jefferson County largely reflects the highest-paid job industries across the state, with the average annual wage in Jefferson County being roughly $10,000 more than the state average:
- Utilities: $129,243
- Management of companies and enterprises: $125,253
- Finance and insurance: $106,844
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction: $100,059
- Wholesale trade: $89,978
- Professional, scientific, and technical services: $89,430
- Information: $84,907
- Manufacturing: $79,894
- Transportation and warehousing: $77,155
- Construction: $77,101
Contact business reporter Olivia Evans at oevans@courier-journal.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter at @oliviamevans_.
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